Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

A great, lifetime experience in just two weeks!! Past Review

By (Biology, General., University of Northern Iowa) - abroad from 12/27/2014 to 01/09/2015 with

University of Northern Iowa: Managua - UNI Socio-Economic Reality Capstone in Nicaragua

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I was able to meet new kinds of people and engage on a new level with students not within my same major. In school it easy to get used to spending time with people in my classes but this trip allowed me to get closer to the people I traveled with. I enjoyed meeting new people and experiencing a new culture. Now being back on campus I can better relate to people of all majors because I was able to relate so well with others in Nicaragua. I can bring my experience from Nicaragua back with me and still continue to meet and learn more about others within my own country.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 0-2 weeks

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

* Food:

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? Yes

Finances

* Money: How easily were you able to live on a student's budget?

(1 = not very easy/$200+ on food & personal expenses/week, 2.5 = $100/week, 5 = very easily/minimal cost)

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? $50
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Use the countries currency and make sure you understand the conversion rates. It is easier to barter and pay the correct amount. If you only have US dollars it is easier to be overcharged.

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? No

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Other
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
About how many local friends did you make that you will likely keep in touch with?

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • Tourism
  • Working with the kids in the schools
  • Meeting people from UNI and also Nicaraguans
* What could be improved?
  • Could have packed better
  • Exchanged more money right away
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I wish that I would have packed better!! I didn't know we could dress like we do in the US. I had taken long pants and conservative shirts thinking we needed to blend in better. Nicaraguans dress much like the US. I had no idea.

Reasons For Studying Abroad

To help future students find programs attended by like-minded individuals, please choose the profile that most closely represents you.
The Avid Adventurer
The wardrobe you packed was better suited for a semester of camping than club hopping. Outdoorsy, you might forgo a crazy night out for an early all-day adventure. You'd rather take in the rich culture of an old town than the metropolis of a modern city, but for you getting off the grid is ideal.